New techniques and technologies for invasive alien species control – gathering speed and momentum

DR ANDREW TURNER

Restoration Ecologist: CapeNature

Invasive alien species

• Ecosystem disservices• Biodiversity + Ecological infrastructure & Services

• Fire risk

• Water security

• Food security

• Human safety

Gaps in our management effect

• Limited techniques

• Time – speed is essential

• Funding flows –uninterrupted operations from start – finish essential

• Need new techniques to improve:• Effectiveness

• Efficiency

New techniques: Plants

Satellites, UAVs & Artificial Intelligence

Individual pine trees identified

HeliHack

Aerial Basal Bark Application

• Highly directed stream applied from a helicopter

• Can reach any tree

• Very effective in New Zealand

• Can be very efficient

• Limited to lowish densities

• Not registered for pines yet

Ground Basal Bark Application

• Most current knapsack operations use foliar spray

• GBBA directed on stem – limits off-target effects

• Easy, fast application

• Can be applied at multiple densities

• Can get in between stems and obstacles

Ballistic application

• Helicopter & paint ball gun

• Herbicide or Biocontrol

https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hbt

Drill ‘n Fill

• Highly directed at target only

• Can be applied in dense infestations

• Not registered for most applications

Biocontrol

• New agents developed e.g.• Stink Bean Paraserianthes – agent now available

• New agents to be tested:• Pines – new research to be initiated for improved pine

management with CBC, FABI & FSA

New techniques: Animals

Traps

• Self-resetting gas operated traps

• No secondary effects on scavengers or predators

Aerial baiting

• Herbicide in pellet form dropped from the air

• Has been successful applied on numerous islands

• A proposal is being developed to control European Rabbits & House Mouse on Dassen Island

Apex Expeditions

Rotenone

• Effective

• Full recovery of indigenous species

• Not registered for

general use yet

Biocontrol

• Rabbits – Myxoma virus, Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus & pathogenic Calicivirus

• Polyphagous Shothole Borer Beetle - the ultimate challenge?

www.fabinet.up.ac.za/pshb

Gene drives

Gene drives

• Promising for animals in closed populations e.g. islands

• Not ready for deployment yet although reversable systems have been designed

• Even more challenging with plants:• Seed banks & selfing

Obstacles to uptake & implementation

Many new options but little implementation

Fear – lack of

knowledgeRed tape

Agricultural Act 36 not designed or

intended for conservation applications

Backlog & approval delays

IA Species management funding insufficient + hiatuses

Continuity essential

Gathering momentum & speed

There are advances and we need to pick up on them where appropriate

Integrate methods - tackle the problem comprehensively, decisively & speedily

Forum for us to collaborate and drive for solutions & overcome obstacles?

Need ownership, drive and funding – together we will gain momentum

Monitoring: progress/lack thereof & negative effects

Adaptive management response

THANK YOU